Serving Tray

ABSTRACT

A serving tray may include an open-sided tray body and a plurality of bands. The tray body may include a tray bottom and at least one side wall projecting from the tray bottom and defining a wall perimeter, wherein the tray bottom and the at least one side wall define an open space above the bottom and within the wall perimeter. The plurality of bands may extending at least partially across the open space to form a band pattern spaced apart from the tray bottom, the band pattern dividing the open space into a plurality of subdivided areas. The band pattern may be configured to maintain the relative positions of items, e.g., glasses, bottles, dishes, condiments, etc., received in the subdivided areas.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure is related to a serving tray, for example, a serving tray having a plurality of bands arranged to define openings for receiving and holding glasses, bottles, dishes, or other items.

BACKGROUND

Serving trays or platters are typically used to carry glasses, dishes, bottles, condiments, or other items. A typical serving tray is designed an open, flat tray having a rim or raised edge around the outer perimeter of the tray to help prevent items from sliding off the side of the tray as the tray is carried by a person, e.g., by a waiter. However, it is still relatively common for items to fall of a typical serving tray, or to slide across the tray causing the person to drop the tray.

SUMMARY

Some embodiments provide a serving tray including an open-sided tray body and a plurality of bands. The open-sided tray body includes a tray bottom and at least one side wall projecting from the tray bottom and defining a wall perimeter, wherein the tray bottom and the at least one side wall define an open space above the bottom and within the wall perimeter. The plurality of bands extends at least partially across the open space to form a band pattern spaced apart from the tray bottom, the band pattern dividing the open space into a plurality of subdivided areas, wherein the band pattern is configured to maintain the relative positions of items, e.g., glasses, bottles, dishes, condiments, etc., received in the subdivided areas.

Some embodiments provide a serving tray having an open-sided tray body including a tray bottom and at least one side wall projecting from the tray bottom and defining a wall perimeter. The tray bottom and the at least one side wall define an open space above the bottom and within the wall perimeter, and the at least one side wall comprises a plurality of band locating structures configured to locate a plurality of bands extending at least partially across the open space.

Some embodiments provide a method of configuring a serving tray. The method includes providing an open-sided tray body including a tray bottom and at least one side wall projecting from the tray bottom and defining a wall perimeter, wherein the tray bottom and the at least one side wall define an open space above the bottom and within the wall perimeter. The method further includes arranging a plurality of bands extending at least partially across the open space to form a band pattern spaced apart from the tray bottom, the band pattern dividing the open space into a plurality of subdivided areas configured to maintain relative positions of items received in the subdivided areas.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some embodiments of the disclosure may be understood by referring, in part, to the following description and the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1A shows a three-dimensional view of a serving tray according to one example embodiment;

FIG. 1B shows a top view of the serving tray of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2 shows a three-dimensional view of a serving tray including strap-like bands attached to hook-shaped connectors on a side wall of the tray, according to another example embodiment;

FIG. 3 shows a three-dimensional view of a serving tray including loop-like bands attached to attachment structures on the top edge of a side wall of the tray, according to another example embodiment;

FIG. 4 shows a three-dimensional view of a serving tray having a band ring that is removably attachable to a tray body, according to another example embodiment;

FIG. 5 shows a three-dimensional view of a rectangular serving tray according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 6 shows a three-dimensional view of a rectangular serving tray according to another example embodiment;

FIG. 7 illustrate an example side view of a serving tray having legs that maintain the bottom surface of the tray body above a table or other support surface, according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 8 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an example tray body having a recessed tray bottom configured to receive portions of bands that cross each other, according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 9A shows a first example band pattern arranged on a circular perimeter serving tray;

FIG. 9B shows the first example band pattern arranged on an oval perimeter serving tray;

FIG. 9C shows the first example band pattern arranged on a rectangular perimeter serving tray;

FIG. 10A shows a second example band pattern arranged on a circular perimeter serving tray;

FIG. 10B shows the second example band pattern arranged on an oval perimeter serving tray;

FIG. 10C shows the second example band pattern arranged on a rectangular perimeter serving tray;

FIG. 11A shows a third example band pattern arranged on a circular perimeter serving tray;

FIG. 11B shows the third example band pattern arranged on an oval perimeter serving tray;

FIG. 11C shows the third example band pattern arranged on a rectangular perimeter serving tray;

FIG. 12A shows a fourth example band pattern arranged on a circular perimeter serving tray;

FIG. 12B shows the fourth example band pattern arranged on an oval perimeter serving tray;

FIG. 12C shows the fourth example band pattern arranged on a rectangular perimeter serving tray;

FIG. 13A shows a fifth example band pattern arranged on a circular perimeter serving tray;

FIG. 13B shows the fifth example band pattern arranged on an oval perimeter serving tray;

FIG. 13C shows the fifth example band pattern arranged on a rectangular perimeter serving tray;

FIG. 14A shows a sixth example band pattern arranged on a circular perimeter serving tray;

FIG. 14B shows the sixth example band pattern arranged on an oval perimeter serving tray;

FIG. 14C shows the sixth example band pattern arranged on a rectangular perimeter serving tray;

FIG. 15A shows a seventh example band pattern arranged on a circular perimeter serving tray;

FIG. 15B shows the seventh example band pattern arranged on an oval perimeter serving tray;

FIG. 15C shows the seventh example band pattern arranged on a rectangular perimeter serving tray;

FIG. 16A shows an eighth example band pattern arranged on a circular perimeter serving tray;

FIG. 16B shows the eighth example band pattern arranged on an oval perimeter serving tray; and

FIG. 16C shows the eighth example band pattern arranged on a rectangular perimeter serving tray.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A and 1B show an example serving tray 10A according to one example embodiment. In particular, FIG. 1A shows a three-dimensional view of serving tray 10A, while FIG. 1B shows a top view of the serving tray 10A. As shown, serving tray 10A includes an open-sided (or open-topped) tray body 12 and a plurality of bands 14 arranged around the tray body 12. The tray body 12 includes a tray bottom 20 and at least one side wall 22 projecting from the tray bottom 20 and defining a wall perimeter 26. The tray bottom 20 and the at least one side wall 22 wall define an open space 28 above the bottom and within the wall perimeter 26.

In this example embodiment, tray body 12 includes a single side wall 22 that defines a rounded (e.g., circular) perimeter 26, with a pair of opposing handles 30 extending from the side wall 22. Other embodiments may include multiple side walls 22 that may be connected to each other to form a continuous perimeter (e.g., a rectangular tray 10A having four side walls 22 connected at four corners), or spaced apart to form a segmented perimeter (e.g., a tray 10A having side walls 22 only on two opposing sides). Further, the side wall(s) 22 may define a perimeter 26 having any other suitable shape, e.g., a rounded shape such as a circle, oval, or ellipse, a rectangular shape such as a square or elongated rectangle having angled or rounded corners, a triangular shape having angled or rounded corners, a pentagon shape having angled or rounded corners, a hexagon shape having angled or rounded corners, or any other rounded or non-rounded, regular or irregular shape.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, each band 14 is a loop-type band that wraps around the outside of the tray body 12 and extends across the open space 28 of the tray body 12, such that the bands 14 collectively form a band pattern 40 spaced apart from the tray bottom 20. The band pattern 40 divides the open space 28 into a plurality of subdivided areas 42. The band pattern 40 may be configured to receive items 44 in one or more of the subdivided areas 42, and to hold such items in place. In other words, band pattern 40 may be configured to maintain the relative positions of items 44 (e.g., relative to tray body 12 and/or to other items 44) received in the subdivided areas 42. Thus, items may be held in place on the serving tray 10A, thus reducing the likelihood of the items sliding or falling off or out of the tray or sliding across the tray and causing a person to drop the tray. Items 44 may include, for example, glasses, bottles, dishes, condiments, other dining-related items, or any suitable non-dining-related items.

In some embodiments bands 14 are removable from the tray body 12 (or from a band ring, as discussed below with reference to FIG. 4). Further, bands 14 may be adjustably or selectively secured to the tray body 12 (or to a band ring, as discussed below with reference to FIG. 4), such that the bands 14 may be arranged and rearranged in various different positions to provide various different band patterns 40 as desired, e.g., for holding different sized or shaped items 44. In addition, the number of bands 14 arranged on body 12 may be selected and adjusted based on the desired band pattern 40. For example, one or more bands 14 may be added to increase the number of subdivided areas 42 in the band pattern 40 and/or to decrease the size of subdivided areas 42 in the band pattern 40, or one or more bands 14 may be removed to decrease the number of subdivided areas 42 in the band pattern 40 and/or to increase the size of subdivided areas 42 in the band pattern 40.

In other embodiments, one or more bands 14 may be permanently secured to the tray body 12 (or to a band ring, as discussed below with reference to FIG. 4). In some embodiments, bands 14 are strap-type bands (as opposed to loop-type bands) having a distinct first and second end, in which one end of each band 14 is permanently secured to the tray body 12 (or band ring) with the other end being removably and selectively securable at multiple different locations of the tray body 12 (or band ring), to provide a user-configurable band pattern 40. In other embodiments, both ends of each strap-type band 14 are permanently secured to the tray body 12 (or band ring) at predefined locations.

Bands 14 may be formed from any suitable material or materials, and may have any suitable shape and/or size. For example, bands 14 may be formed from a substantially elastic material, such as rubber or an elastic silicone or plastic material. Alternatively, bands 14 may be formed from a substantially inelastic material, such as a substantially inelastic fabric for example.

In some embodiments, such as the example shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, each band 14 is a loop-type band sized to extend around the tray body 12. In other embodiments, such as the example embodiment discussed below with reference to FIG. 2, each band 14 is a strap-type band having a first end and a second end configured to be secured to tray body 12 (or to a band ring) at different locations.

In some embodiments, serving tray 10A includes a set of identical bands 14. In other embodiments, serving tray 10A includes a non-identical set of bands 14, in which at least two bands 14 have a different size (e.g., length and/or thickness) and/or are formed from different materials.

In some embodiments, tray 10A includes a band locating structures that define predefined positions or attachment points for bands 14 and/or help secure bands 14 to the tray body 12 (or band ring), e.g., such that the bands 14 do not slide or fall off of tray body 12 (or the band ring). FIG. 1A shows two example band locating structures. First, a plurality of grooves or notches 50 may be formed in an upper edge of side wall 22, each sized to receive a band 14, e.g., having a width equal to or slightly larger than a width of a band 14. Notches 50 may be arranged in any manner around all or portions of the wall perimeter 26, e.g., at regularly spaced intervals or at irregularly spaced intervals.

Second, a plurality of guide protrusions 52 may be formed on side wall 22 for guiding and/or securing bands 14. Guide protrusions 52 may be arranged in any manner around all or portions of the wall perimeter 26, e.g., at regularly spaced intervals or at irregularly spaced intervals. In some embodiments, guide protrusions 52 are arranged in pairs, each pair being configured to receive a band 14. For example, each pair of guide protrusions 52 may be spaced apart by a distance equal to or slightly larger than a width of a band. However, guide protrusions 52 may be arranged in any other manner.

Band pattern 40 may comprise any suitable geometric pattern. As discussed above, in some embodiments the band pattern 40 is user-configurable and reconfigurable, e.g., by adding bands 14, removing bands 14, and/or adjusting the location(s) of bands 14. Each band pattern 40 may be a regular or irregular pattern, and symmetric about one line of symmetry, symmetric about multiple lines of symmetry, or not symmetric about any lines of symmetry.

Some band patterns 30 includes at least two bands 14 extending parallel to each other. In some patterns 30, all bands 14 extend parallel to each other.

Some band patterns 30 includes at least two bands 14 extending perpendicular to each other. In some patterns 30, all bands 14 are arranged either parallel or perpendicular to each other, e.g., to form a checkerboard-type pattern defining rectangular subdivided areas 42.

Some band patterns 30 includes at least two bands 14 extending non-parallel and non-perpendicular to each other. In some patterns 30, at least one band 14 is non-parallel and non-perpendicular to every other band 14 in the pattern 40. In some patterns 30, every band 14 is non-parallel and non-perpendicular to every other band 14 in the pattern 40.

Some band patterns 30 includes at least three bands 14 that crossing each other at a single location in the pattern. In some patterns 30, all bands 14 cross at a single location, e.g., at a geometric center point defined by the wall perimeter 26.

Some band patterns 30 are arranged such that all subdivided areas 42 defined by the band pattern 40 have the same shape and/or geometric area. Other band patterns 30 define subdivided areas 42 having different shapes and/or areas.

Some band patterns 30 define at least one subdivided area 42 having a lateral perimeter defined on all sides by a number of bands 14 (e.g., three, four, five, six, or more bands 14), and thus located inward from and spaced apart from the wall perimeter 26. In other band patterns 30, each subdivided area 42 is bounded on at least one side by a (linear or curved) side wall 22.

In the example band pattern 40 shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, each subdivided area 42 is either (a) laterally bounded on all sides by bands 14 or (b) laterally bounded on one or more sides by one or more bands 14 and bounded on a remaining (curved) side by side wall 22.

As discussed above, tray 10A may include band locating structures, such as notches 50 or guide protrusions 52, which may define a predetermined set of possible positions for each band 14. In such embodiments, the universe of possible band patterns 30 may be defined by the number and arrangement of the band locating structures. Thus, the number and arrangement of band locating structures may allow for any one or more of the various band pattern attributes discussed above, depending on the particular user-selected configuration of bands.

FIG. 2 shows a three-dimensional view of an example serving tray 10B according to another example embodiment. Serving tray 10B is similar to serving tray 10A, but includes strap-type bands 14 rather than the loop-type bands. Embodiments that include strap-type bands 14 may include any suitable band-attachment structures or devices for securing the ends of each band 14 to the tray body 12 (or band ring). The example embodiment of FIG. 2 includes a series of hook-shaped connector 60 attached to or formed on the outside of side wall 22. Each hook-shaped connector 60 provides a possible point of attachment for each strap-type band 14. Connectors 60 may be arranged at any suitable locations, e.g., at regular or irregular intervals around all or portions of the wall perimeter 26.

Each strap-type band 14 may include a suitable structure or device that can be removably secured to each connector 60. In the illustrated example, each strap-type band 14 includes a ring 62 (e.g., formed from metal, plastic, or rubber) connected at each end of the band 14, which rings 62 are configured to removably connect to any of the hook-shaped connectors 60, as shown in FIG. 2. In some embodiments, multiple bands 14 may be connected to a single connector 60, i.e., multiple rings 62 may be secured to a single connector 60. Thus, bands 14 may be selectively secured and re-secured to different connectors 60 to provide various different band patterns 30.

In an alternative embodiment, loop-type bands 14 may be used with example serving tray 10B, with each loop passing under any suitable number of hook-type connectors 60, and crossing the open space 28 at least twice.

FIG. 3 shows a three-dimensional view of an example serving tray 10C according to another example embodiment. Serving tray 10C is similar to serving trays 10A and 10B, but includes a series of band-attachment structures 66 projecting from a top edge of the side wall 22, rather than from the outer surface of side wall 22. Band-attachment structures 66 may include any structures suitable for securing loop-type and/or strap-type bands 14. Like hook-shaped connectors 60 discussed above, each band-attachment structure 66 provides a possible point of attachment for each band 14. Band-attachment structure 66 may be arranged at any suitable locations, e.g., at regular or irregular intervals around all or portions of the top edge of wall perimeter 26.

The illustrated example includes loop-type bands 14 releasably secured to structures 66 such that each band 14 crosses the open space 28 twice. In other embodiments, serving tray 10C may use strap-type bands 14, with the ends of each band 14 attaching to selected band-attachment structures 66, such that each band crosses the open space 28 only once. Thus, using loop-type bands 14 in an arrangement similar to that shown in FIG. 3 (or FIG. 2) may provide twice the number of band elements in the respective band pattern 40 as compared to using strap-type bands 14 that crosses the open space 28 only once, and as compared to embodiments in which loop-type bands 14 are arranged to cross the open space 28 only once, e.g., the embodiment of FIGS. 1A-1B.

FIG. 4 shows a three-dimensional view of an example serving tray 10D according to another example embodiment. Serving tray 10D includes a tray body 12 and a band ring 70 removably attachable to the tray body 12. Unlike the embodiments discussed above, bands 14 are secured to the band ring 70 rather than the tray body 12. Bands 14 may include loop-type bands or strap-type bands, and may be removably or permanently secured to band ring 70 using any of the structures and techniques discussed herein. Thus, band ring 70 may include any suitable band-attachment structures to which bands 14 may be removably or permanently secured, to provide any suitable band pattern 40.

Band ring 70 may be removably attachable to tray body 12 in any suitable manner. For example, band ring 70 may include a lip that extends over a top edge of tray body 12. As another example, band ring 70 may fit inside the wall perimeter 26 and rest on a lip 76 or other structure of tray body 12. Band ring 70 may be attach to tray body 12 in any other suitable manner.

Band ring 70 may have any suitable perimeter shape, which may or may not match the wall perimeter 26 of the corresponding tray body 12. For example, a perimeter of band ring 70 may have a rounded shape such as a circle, oval, or ellipse, a rectangular shape such as a square or elongated rectangle having angled or rounded corners, a triangular shape having angled or rounded corners, a pentagon shape having angled or rounded corners, a hexagon shape having angled or rounded corners, or any other rounded or non-rounded, regular or irregular shape.

FIG. 5 shows a three-dimensional view of an example serving tray 10E according to another example embodiment. Serving tray 10E has a rectangular tray body 12 including four side walls 22A-22D extending from a tray bottom 20 and defining a continuous rectangular wall perimeter 26. Handles 30 (e.g., openings) may be provided at opposing sides 22. Loop-type and/or strap-type bands 14 may be arranged to create a band pattern 40. In the illustrated example, each bands 14 is a loop-type band extending across the open space 28 from one side 22 to an opposing side 22 (e.g., from side 22A to opposing side 22B, or from side 22C to opposing side 22D). In other embodiments, one or more bands 14 may be arranged to extend across the open space 28 from one side 22 to an adjacent side 22 (e.g., from side 22A to adjacent side 22B). Serving tray 10E may include any suitable band-attachment structures, such as those discussed above (e.g., notches, protrusions, hooks, etc.), arranged at any suitable locations on one, two, three, or all four sides 22A-22D.

FIG. 6 shows a three-dimensional view of an example serving tray 1OF according to another example embodiment. Serving tray 1OF has a rectangular tray body 12 including two side walls 22A and 22B extending from a tray bottom 20 and defining a non-continuous rectangular wall perimeter 26. Handles 30 (e.g., openings) may be provided at sides 22A and 22B. Loop-type and/or strap-type bands 14 may be arranged to extend between side 22A and 22B to create a desired band pattern 40. Serving tray 1OF may include any suitable band-attachment structures, such as those discussed above (e.g., notches, protrusions, hooks, etc.), arranged at any suitable locations on one or both sides 22A and 22B.

In certain embodiments in which bands 14 extend below the tray bottom 20, when the tray 10 is placed on a table or other support surface, the bands 14 may rest directly on the support surface and maintain the bottom surface of the tray bottom 20 spaced apart from the support surface. For example, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1A-1B in which bands 14 extend around the open-side tray body 12 and below the tray bottom 20, bands 14 maintain the bottom surface of the tray bottom 20 elevated above the support surface, e.g., by the thickness of bands 14. Other embodiments may include legs or other structures that lift the tray bottom 20 such that bands 14 that extend below the tray bottom 20 are held above the support surface.

FIG. 7 illustrate an example side view of a serving tray 10 having legs 80 configured to maintain a bottom surface 82 of the tray body 12 above a table or other support surface by a distance d_(L). In some embodiments, the distance d_(L) may be greater than the thickness of an individual band 14 used with the serving tray 10, greater than two times the thickness of an individual band 14, greater than three times the thickness of an individual band 14, greater than four times the thickness of an individual band 14, or have any other suitable dimension.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example cross-sectional view of a tray body 12 having a tray bottom 20 that includes a non-recessed portion 90 defining a non-recessed bottom surface 92 and a recessed portion 94 defining a recessed bottom surface 96 and a recess area 98. The recess area 98 may be configured to receive portions of bands 14 that overlap each other at one or more locations below the tray bottom 20, such that the bottom of tray 10 is defined by a single layer of straps 14 running under the non-recessed portion 90, and overlapping areas of bands 14 are received in recess area 98. This configuration may provide a flat, or planar, bottom surface for tray 10, and remove potential bumps or pivot/wobble points that may otherwise exist at crossing points of bands 14 below the tray bottom. Thus, the recessed bottom surface 96 is recessed from the non-recessed bottom surface 92 by a distance d_(R) equal to or greater than the thickness of an individual band 14, equal to or greater than two times the thickness of an individual band 14, equal to or greater than three times the thickness of an individual band 14, equal to or greater than four times the thickness of an individual band 14, or have any other suitable dimension.

As discussed above, band patterns 40 may include any suitable geometric patterns, which may be user-configurable and reconfigurable, e.g., by adding bands 14, removing bands 14, and/or adjusting the location(s) of bands 14. FIGS. 9A-16C illustrate some example band patterns 40 for three example wall perimeter shapes: circle, oval, and rectangle.

FIGS. 9A-9C illustrate example band patterns 40 in which all bands 14 are parallel to each other.

FIGS. 10A-10C illustrate example band patterns 40 in which all bands 14 are arranged in a checkerboard pattern, with each band 14 arranged parallel or perpendicular to each other band 14.

FIGS. 11A-11C illustrate example band patterns 40 including a first subset of bands 14 arranged parallel to each other, and a second subset of bands 14 arranged parallel to each other and offset from the first subset of bands in a non-perpendicular manner.

FIGS. 12A-12C illustrate example band patterns 40 in which all bands 14 cross each other at a single, central location.

FIGS. 13A-13C illustrate example band patterns 40 in which all bands 14 are arranged randomly.

FIGS. 14A-14C illustrate example band patterns 40 in which the bands 14 form a quadrilateral divided by two perpendicular bands.

FIGS. 15A-15C illustrate example band patterns 40 including three pairs of parallel bands 14, each pair of parallel bands 14 being offset from the other two pairs in a non-perpendicular manner.

FIGS. 16A-16C illustrate example band patterns 40 in which the bands 14 cross each other at two distinct locations.

It should be understood that the illustrated examples of FIGS. 9A-16C are examples only, and that bands 14 may be configured for form any other patterns 40 as desired.

Although the disclosed embodiments are described in detail in the present disclosure, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made to the embodiments without departing from their spirit and scope. 

1. A serving tray, comprising: an open-sided tray body including: a tray bottom; and at least one side wall projecting from the tray bottom and defining a wall perimeter; wherein the tray bottom and the at least one side wall define an open space above the bottom and within the wall perimeter; a plurality of bands extending at least partially across the open space to form a band pattern spaced apart from the tray bottom, the band pattern dividing the open space into a plurality of subdivided areas; wherein the band pattern is configured to maintain relative positions of items received in the subdivided areas.
 2. The serving tray of claim 1, wherein the wall perimeter has a rounded shape.
 3. The serving tray of claim 1, wherein the wall perimeter has a generally rectangular shape.
 4. The serving tray of claim 1, wherein the bands are elastic.
 5. The serving tray of claim 1, wherein the bands are removable from the tray body.
 6. The serving tray of claim 1, wherein the bands are adjustably positionable with respect to the tray body to form multiple different band patterns.
 7. The serving tray of claim 1, wherein at least one band comprises a loop extending around the open-side tray body.
 8. The serving tray of claim 1, wherein at least one band comprises a strap having a first end secured to the serving tray at a first location to a second end secured to the serving tray at a second location.
 9. The serving tray of claim 1, wherein the band pattern includes at least two bands extending parallel to each other.
 10. The serving tray of claim 1, wherein the band pattern includes at least two bands extending non-parallel to each other.
 11. The serving tray of claim 1, wherein the band pattern includes at least two bands extending non-parallel and non-perpendicular to each other.
 12. The serving tray of claim 1, wherein a first subdivided area defined by the band pattern is located inward from and spaced apart from the wall perimeter, and has an area perimeter defined on all sides by the bands.
 13. The serving tray of claim 1, wherein a first subdivided area defined by the band pattern has an area perimeter having no lines of symmetry.
 14. The serving tray of claim 1, wherein the at least one side wall comprises a plurality of band locating structures to locate at least one of the bands in at least one predefined position.
 15. The serving tray of claim 14, wherein the band locating structures comprises grooves or openings formed in the at least one side wall.
 16. The serving tray of claim 14, wherein the band locating structures comprises protrusions on the at least one side wall.
 17. The serving tray of claim 1, comprising: a ring removably secured to the open-sided tray body, the ring defining a ring perimeter; wherein the plurality of bands are secured to the ring, each band extending across an open space defined within the ring perimeter; such that when the ring is secured to the open-sided tray body, the plurality of bands extend at least partially across the open space of the tray body.
 18. The serving tray of claim 17, wherein the bands are removably secured to the ring.
 19. The serving tray of claim 17, wherein the bands are adjustably positionable with respect to the ring form multiple different band patterns.
 20. The serving tray of claim 1, wherein the bands extend around the open-side tray body and below a bottom surface of the tray bottom, such that when the serving tray is placed on an object surface, the bands maintain the bottom surface of the tray bottom spaced apart from the object surface.
 21. The serving tray of claim 1, wherein: each band has a band thickness; and the tray bottom includes: a non-recessed portion defining a non-recessed bottom surface, and a recessed portion defining a recessed bottom surface, the recessed bottom surface being recessed from the non-recessed bottom surface by at least two times the band thickness of a particular band.
 22. A serving tray, comprising: an open-sided tray body including: a tray bottom; and at least one side wall projecting from the tray bottom and defining a wall perimeter; wherein the tray bottom and the at least one side wall define an open space above the bottom and within the wall perimeter; and wherein the at least one side wall comprises a plurality of band locating structures configured to locate a plurality of bands extending at least partially across the open space.
 23. A method of configuring a serving tray, comprising: providing an open-sided tray body including: a tray bottom; and at least one side wall projecting from the tray bottom and defining a wall perimeter; wherein the tray bottom and the at least one side wall define an open space above the bottom and within the wall perimeter; and arranging a plurality of bands extending at least partially across the open space to form a band pattern spaced apart from the tray bottom, the band pattern dividing the open space into a plurality of subdivided areas configured to maintain relative positions of items received in the subdivided areas. 